"I recommend getting this sampler first; there are some great Blues tunes on this that AudioQuest Music never released separately on SACD. I consider this one of the most important SACDs ever released. Great blues in some of the best sound I've ever heard, every track is a treasure. If you only get one blues sampler this is it. Once I heard this sampler, I purchased all the full SACDs that were available, about half of the recordings were never released on SACD. "

"The majority of these tracks were recorded in the mid to late 90s, and the disc was a popular sampler among dealers of Audioquest products. All the music was recorded in the analog domain direct to two track tape and the SACD was mastered by Bernie Grundman. Two thirds of the material is by the original recording artist while a few others are from blues legends like John Lee Hooker and “Lightning” Hopkins. Both electric and acoustic blues are represented and all the tracks are first-rate in terms of the sound quality—as I said this was probably used as a demonstration disc at quite a few hi-fi stores—low noise, great dynamics, very realistic.

As a compilation goes there isn’t a dud in the mix. The first track by Terry Evans preaches and pronounces his revival rendition of the blues—a great choice to start the disc off. Mighty Sam McClain’s “Too Proud” is one of my favorites on the sampler. It’s intense, powerful and sincere. This track is probably the most accessible song to non-blues listeners as well. “Country Girl” is what some might term a country blues tune with matching vocals that get down and dirty. The Bruce Katz Band may not have a bluesy sounding name, but can these guys play the blues. The harmonica smoothes the way for impressive piano prowess—singing, sliding and swinging! Robert Lucas is no stranger to the blues scene and proves it with his playful plucking. Lucas is HUNGRY: sniff, sniff—you’ll understand when you hear the music. All in all a great introduction to some modern blues artists with a superlative recording."